Western Australia

WEST Australian Acting Planning Minister Troy Buswell last week released a draft revised policy and new guidelines for public consultation following a full review of the State Coastal Planning Policy.

Mr Buswell said the proposed revisions and additions provided more guidance to the Western Australian Planning Commission, State Government bodies and local governments for land use and development on or near the coast.

THE population of Western Australia is growing faster than expected, with the latest population projections predicting that the state will grow to 3.06 million by 2026 – approximately 400,000 higher than estimated in 2006.

Releasing the latest population projections during his address to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia yesterday, Planning Minister John Day said the projections reinforced the government's strategy to meet the planning and infrastructure requirements of this growth.

Plans for the ongoing development and growth of Collie as a 'SuperTown' have moved ahead this week, following the Shire's endorsement of a new residential estate structure plan for public comment.

Unveiling the plans for the proposed 39.7 hectare Buckingham Way development, Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the project would deliver a quality 234-lot estate with capacity to meet future population growth.

THE West Australian Government this week announced it has shortlisted three major companies for the construction of the Perth Waterfront inlet and public spaces.

Planning Minister John Day said that after a rigorous assessment process, Leighton/Broad, John Holland and a consortium involving Brookfield Multiplex and Georgiou have each been successful in their initial bids for the major works contract worth $200 million.

REGIONAL Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls this week visited Newman to inspect the progress of the $20 million revitalisation of the town centre.

Mr Grylls said the new look of the town was unfolding as a result of the project, which aims to support a population of 15,000, with improved lighting, landscaping, modern shade sails plus the realignment of the shopping centre car park.

THE Western Australian Planning Commission and City of Joondalup have approved the structure plan for the former Craigie High School site, paving the way for the development of up to 132 dwellings.

Announcing the approval yesterday, Lands Minster Brendon Grylls said the 10.2 hectare site in Craigie, approximately 23 kilometres north of Perth, will be transformed into an exciting new residential community.

PERTH'S new Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA) will commence next week, replacing the existing authorities in Armadale, East Perth, Midland and Subiaco.

Planning Minister John Day said the commencement of the MRA will be a new era for Perth's urban renewal and revitalisation, with the authority to oversee some of the government's most important projects, such as Perth Waterfront, Perth City Link, Perth Cultural Centre and Riverside.

PERTH City Council has adopted key recommendations of the City's Growth Needs for the Future - Plot Ratio and Built Form Study, potentially allowing for the development of an additional 1 million square metres of floor space.

The study was investigating the issues affecting and influencing the future built form of the Perth city centre and whether the City's development controls could accommodate future floor space needs and reflect the urban design vision for the city, as set out in the Urban Design Framework adopted by the Council last year.

THE West Australian Government has granted approval for the first private development of the Perth City Link, allowing Leighton Properties to construct a new office and retail building.

The development of the 11 storey building on the site of the former Perth Entertainment Centre, being undertaken of behalf of Seven Entertainment Pty Ltd, will provide approximately 19,000 square metres of floor space, including four retail tenancies at ground level, 10 floors of office space and a rooftop terrace.